a lifestyle blog for book lovers
Happy Saturday, readers! Today I’m headed to the Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington to meet readers (and Silas House and Wendell Berry, woohoo!). It’s free and open to all, so if you’re close, come on out. (My session with Kimmery Martin and Jim Mustich is at 2:00 p.m.) Also on my weekend agenda: plan my Christmas shopping and finish the new Louise Penny book. I only have twenty pages to go but I could NOT keep my eyes open any longer last night. (That has nothing to do with the book, which I’m loving—I read fifty pages more than I should have before I finally gave in!)

My favorite finds from around the web:

• The secrets of Ina Garten’s pantry. I’m feeling pretty smug that I’m three-for-three on Ina’s salt recommendations. • 20 debut works of fiction by women over 40. “Each year, there are the usual lists of debut writers under 30 or 40. … While these lists have gotten more diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity, there has not been much improvement with respect to age, and over time this can be disheartening to many older writers working on their debut books. ” • Books like Dog Man: 12 must-read series for fans of Dav Pilkey. In case you’re wondering what “what should I read next?” puzzles I’m solving for my own household. • 21 reasons why I read authors of color. “I like to learn about people who are different than me. I have only lived one life, and I want to know about how other people have lived theirs.” • Books and travel, travel and bookstores. Basically my bookstore bucket list.

Favorite Instagram:

Some mail days are so good they can magically rearrange your priorities for the rest of the day. (Follow me on Instagram @annebogel.)

On the blog:

One year ago: On personality, emotional labor, and surviving the holidays. “Seeing old friends, visiting family, packing and traveling, and the kids’ contagious excitement are all good things, and I love them in moderation.” Two years ago: The books my kids are loving right now. “I’m thankful for teachers everywhere whose contagious enthusiasm helps kids catch reading fever, instead of turning it into a chore.” Three years ago: 7 recent nonfiction reads. “This month I’m rounding up my recent nonfiction reads, and there have been plenty.” Four years ago: A very bookish Christmas countdown. “In years past I’ve tried various Christmas countdowns—Advent calendars and Jesse trees and the like—that just haven’t clicked for our family. But a few years ago we created an instant tradition: a literary Advent calendar.” Five years ago: There is exactly enough time. “I’ll be continually asking myself this week what matters, and what doesn’t. It sounds so simple, but these moment-by-moment decisions are weighty.” Six years ago: When I realized my own house was making me cranky. “I feel like I have a little extra space to breathe when our stuff isn’t packed tight into our living spaces.” Seven years ago: Shopping for Christmas gifts? You have power. Use it wisely. “I don’t buy everything locally, and I don’t buy everything fair trade.  But I’m keeping these options in mind as I wrap up my gift shopping, because I’m being intentional about where my money is going this season.”

On the podcast:

One year ago: Episode 106: The anatomy of an excellent reading experience
Two years ago: Episode 52: There’s nothing better than a great book (with Gretchen Rubin)
Have a great weekend!

9 comments

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  1. Missy says:

    Thank you for the books like Dogman link! I’m always on the lookout for books that will keep my son’s interest (which are hard to find). I can vouch for the Bad Guys series. He read each of those in one sitting. I’m looking forward to trying more from the list.

  2. leslie says:

    Anne, have you read “The Personality Brokers” by Merve Emre? I just finished it and would be so interested to hear your thoughts! It was fascinating but also a little devastating to this personality assessment lover.
    PS Thank you for all the amazing gift guides!

  3. Michelle Wilson says:

    Wow, what an excellent, well thought out list about reading works by people of color. For the past several years, I have been very intentional in my reading but was not able to articulate the reasons why so eloquently. Thanks.

  4. Elizabeth says:

    Thank you for the link to The Stacks article about reading works by people of color. I will share with my bookclub, so they understand why my focus for the last few years has been reading books by and about WOC- in a clearer manner than I have been articulating. So important..

    • Anne says:

      If you haven’t checked out Tracie’s podcast: it’s so good! She’s an upcoming guest on What Should I Read Next and I can’t wait to share our conversation.

  5. Oh my gosh – thank you so much for sharing the Books Like Dog Man article! My son loves Dog Man, but has read them all. We’ve pre-ordered the latest, but it’s not in yet and I’ve been looking for something else to recommend to him. I’m thinking from this list: The Treehouse Books, Big Nate, and Comics Squad. He’s already gone through all the Bad Guyz books.

  6. Judy says:

    I stopped by but missed you because you were giving a talk. While I’m sorry to have missed meeting you, I’m totally looking forward to trying Reading People on audio. I’m so glad I discovered your books today.

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